Don’t imitate those who deceive themselves by saying, ‘I will sin and then go to confession.’ How do you know that you will have time to make your confession? Isn’t it madness to wound yourself in the hope that a doctor will be found to heal the wound?”
–Saint John Bosco (1815-1888)
Control desire and you will dominate anger; for desire gives rise to anger.
–Saint Thalassios the Libyan (6th-7th Centuries)
Stop defiling your flesh with shameful deeds and polluting your soul with wicked thoughts; then the peace of God will descend upon you and bring you love.
–Saint Maximos the Confessor (580-662)
Some people understand the charity of our Lord and are saved by it; others, relying on this mercy and kindness, continue in their sins, thinking that it may be theirs whenever they wish. But this is not so, for then they are too late and are taken in their sins before they expect it, and so damn themselves.
–Walter Hilton (1340-1396)
To abstain from sin when one can no longer sin is to be forsaken by sin, not to forsake it.
–Saint Augustine (354-430)
Temptations come so that hidden passions may be revealed and so that it will be possible to fight them, and so that the soul may be rid of them. They are also a sign of God’s mercy. So give yourself with trust into God’s hands and ask his help, so that he will strengthen you in your struggle. God knows how much each one can bear and allows temptations according to the measure of our strength. Remember that after temptation comes spiritual joy, and that the Lord protects them that endure temptations and suffering for the sake of His love.
–Saint Nectarius of Aegina (1846-1920)
